Box Score

TAMPA – The Bulldogs tasted defeat for the first time this season with a 71-55 setback at #17 USF. Three of the four quarters were close, but the Bulls managed to outscore BU 23-8 in the second frame to stay undefeated (4-0).
 
Tori Schickel led Butler with 18 points and 15 rebounds to notch her second double-double of the season. Schickel and Whitney Jennings combined for all 17 first quarter points as BU and USF ended the opening 10 minutes of action knotted up at 17-17. Jennings ended the game with 18 points, four assists and three rebounds.
 
The Bulls scored in waves with three student-athletes ending the game in double figures. Laura Ferreira scored eight of her 17 points in the second quarter and Kitija Laksa would share the team scoring lead with 17 points on 6-of-15 shooting. Laksa also got hot in the closing minutes of the second quarter allowing USF to go on a 14-2 scoring run.
 
The Bulldogs got 10 points off the bench from Kristen Spolyar and Michelle Weaver would add five before fouling out. Rounding out the scoring for Butler was Shae Brey and Kaela Hodges who each added a bucket.
 
The Bulldogs fought until the final whistle and would end up out-rebounding USF 41-37. The Bulls shot 46 percent from the field and dished out 17 assists on 29 made field goals.
 
Butler will have a quick turnaround as the team now will shift their focus to #11 West Virginia. BU will play three games in three days beginning with a 12 PM tip vs. the Mountaineers in the Paradise Jam. The Bulldogs will also see Virginia Tech and Drexel in tournament action.